The potential hiring of Wade Phillips as Bill Parcells’ replacement could bode well for Cowboys assistant Tony Sparano.

Just said hello to Sparano in the hallways of the Cowboys headquarters at Valley Ranch. He was headed in the direction of Jerry Jones’ office. Last year’s play-caller is the only offensive assistant still remaining from Parcells’ staff. Sparano is currently assistant head coach/offensive line and running game coordinator.

The Cowboys think highly of Sparano, whom they have blocked in the past from interviews with other teams.

With Phillips expected to take over, Sparano should still figure heavily into the plans with new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. Sparano was also involved in the interview process with Colts assistant Jim Caldwell.

Sparano figures to have a bigger role offensively than he would have if Norv Turner were named head coach.

Officially, the Cowboys have nothing to say about the impending hire of Wade Phillips as the seventh coach in Cowboys history. No press conference is scheduled so far. But the media frenzy is under way at the team's Valley Ranch headquarters. An army of cameras and television trucks were at the facility before 8 am in hopes of getting a glimpse of Phillips' arrival. He has yet to arrive. But neither has owner Jerry Jones. Stay tuned.

February 06, 2007

Chicago defensive coordinator Ron Rivera remains stuck in transit. Bad weather has kept Rivera from flying from Chicago to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. He is scheduled to arrive later this evening and interview for the Cowboys head coaching job.

Multiple sources said the Bears are OK with Rivera, should he decide to leave the team to become the next defensive coordinator with the Cowboys. The Bears would not block the Cowboys from hiring Rivera as a defensive coordinator before the team's exclusive negotiating period with him ends on Feb. 20.